Robbie Koenig in flight ordeal

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Cape Town - Durban-based Robbie Koenig, a former tennis professional, Davis Cup player and the popular voice of ATP televised tournaments is recovering at home after a bizarre ordeal on his flight back to South Africa from Australia.

Koenig was en route back home after completing his television commentating duty at the ATP Auckland event in New Zealand prior to the Australian Open, when his appendix burst.

“Robbie was on a Quantas flight on Sunday 13 January when I got a call from the doctor who was on the plane giving me the news of the burst appendix,” said his wife, Giselle Koenig.

“Quantas were amazing, firstly to have a doctor on board, and that he was able to administer morphine to Robbie to assist him until the plane landed in Joburg.”

On hearing the news Giselle boarded a plane from Durban to Johannesburg to meet her husband on arrival. Koenig was taken straight to the Aarwyp hospital close to OR Tambo International for an emergency operation.

“Robbie was obviously very sick and although the operation was successful, he was hospitalised for eight days before being discharged and allowed to return home to Durban,” said a relieved Giselle.

“Robbie is recovering well but it will take some time. His “cheekiness” and fighting spirit is coming back so I am sure he is feeling better and is on the mend.”

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